Karen Robinson’s first CD of original songs reflects the diversity of her years of playing music of various genres from folk to country to children’s songs to jazz. Yet, all who have heard it agree that this CD keeps the listener engaged and entertained. A sense of humour is evident throughout, but there is much depth. Easy Does It is pure fun. It is what to do when you come home tired from work… if you are lucky! It could be called a love song, and is one of two “love songs” on the CD. Lovers of the Night, the other, is a visit to a 1950s or ‘60s last dance at the school “sock hop” where sweethearts cuddle up on the dance floor and rock to the romantic song. Blues Bird, pretty much country-pop, is an upbeat look at someone’s regrets. Old Time Music was written as a twenty-first century wish to keep singing the old timey songs with friends and family gathered around in a musical kitchen party. As cheerful as it is, the song hints at a longing for simpler times. Of the three blues songs, She’s a Keeper is a playful song about an interesting woman. If you’re looking to learn an interesting song that is great for jamming this is it, in 12-bar blues format. Or maybe Tadpole Blues. It reflects an Elvis Presley blues style, but the lyrics will make you chuckle. Change is not always welcome or easy! When I Sing the Blues tells of some of the strong qualities in blues songs in general that touch on the human experience and reveal common needs. Among the more serious songs such as Cats and Crows, I’m Hoping You Do, Raven’s Wing, Autumn Wind, and Play It Softly you’ll find reflections of some of the struggles of life. Cats and Crows is a softly jazzy folk song about overcoming fears and helping each other. It might be called a love song too. I’m Hoping You Do shows an awareness that relationships can be troubled if one partner is overly attached to electronic media or obsessions of one kind or another. In Raven’s Wing, written to sound like a very old song with some newer musical twists, the speaker has a lot to learn but is paying the price of that learning. Like Raven’s Wing, Autumn Wind also has the feel of a very old and hauntingly beautiful traditional song, and reflects one person’s experience of leaving a farming life to find their way in the city. She’s a Keeper in particular has received quite a bit of radio air play so far, as have several other cuts from this CD. Just after its release, the CD and Karen were featured for a one-hour program at CKDU, 88.1 FM. The CD is a cohesive journey through time and styles. Have a listen. About Karen: Singer-songwriter Karen Robinson has been performing music over her lifetime in a range of styles and venues. Highlights include performing at the Road to Stanfest Songwriter’s Stage at Stanfest in Canso for three years running, performing for an Apple Blossom Festival queen’s coronation event, being the third voice in a Celtic harp duo's concerts for several seasons, and being back-up singer for a world-syndicated TV show, Maritime Country. Karen was the first to perform Hubbard/A. Robinson/Quinn’s Red Coat Laddies. It was written for the funeral of a Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officer killed in the line of duty in Nova Scotia, Canada, and Karen’s performance caught the interest of national RCMP. Red Coat Laddies can be heard at RCMP funerals across Canada, and it went on to become the theme song for the RCMP’s 125th anniversary Musical Ride. Karen also has an abiding interest in Jazz. She is the drummer for the Jazz combo Buckley’s Mixture, and is the vocalist for a piano/vocal Jazz duo called Tea for Two. Karen sang with the Valley Big Band Swing Orchestra in the 2011 Halifax Jazz Festival. Karen is working on a CD of her original jazz pieces. Karen says, “I sang other people’s songs all these years. I didn’t take writing seriously until a friend suggested that I finish songs that I had started years ago.” It turns out she has a gift for writing humorous songs in particular, but her more serious songs are also very strong and well received. Now she performs almost exclusively her own compositions in concerts and song-writer circles. She is a frequent contributor to the Rose and Kettle Concerts at the Cole Harbour Museum. Karen credits these and the Harbour Folk and the Helen Creighton Societies for enriching her life with people who are deep and welcome sources of musical information, support and inspiration. Karen has studied song writing with Clary Croft, Susan Crowe, Dave Carroll, Dave Gunning, David Francey, Craig Werth, James Keelaghan, and J.P. Cormier. She has co-written songs with fellow artist, Ann Fearon, and she continues to study guitar and drum. Karen has deep roots in traditional music. In 2001 she released a CD of family songs, stories and games called Daniel and Lydia Sweeney’s Family. Her grandfather, Daniel, was an Irish fiddler and story teller who performed along the Eastern American states in minstrel shows before he married Lydia Sweeney in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, around the turn of the last century. Karen learned traditional songs at his knee as a child. She saw this part of family history would disappear with the next generation, so she enlisted the help of older relatives to put the stories and songs together and provided a copy to all the descendants. CKDU featured this CD in a one-hour segment to help others create family CDs of their own. CBC’s Stan Carew has aired several excerpts from the CD as well. This CD is available through the contact form on her website, as is her new, just released, CD. Karen’s first solo CD of original songs, She’s a Keeper, was released on February 23rd 2012, and has been met with widespread interest. Several radio stations, including CBC, have aired her songs. The CD is available through her website, or individual songs can be purchased through CD Baby and iTunes.